BCPH PUBLIC HEALTH LEADERSHIP
SUMMER INSTITUTE & MEDICAL ACADEMY
Applications Due: July 1, 2023

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Co-Founders of BCPH, Dr. Carpenter and Dr. Le Compte

Need your questions answered in-person? Watch our previous webinar or attend virtually at one of the upcoming webinars:

 

Thursday, June 22nd, 1-2 pm EST: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83867598769

Tuesday, June 27th, 1-2 pm EST: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84190738858

Thursday, June 29th, 1-2 pm EST: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81534820085

How Do I Apply?

Applications Open March 15, 2023. ROLLING ADMISSIONS.

  • Complete an online application and provide supplemental materials, including the nonrefundable application fee
  • Submit a copy of your official or unofficial transcript
  • Complete and submit a BCPH media release form (in-person and synchronous/virtual participants

 

**Extremely late applications received after July 1, 2023 will be considered on a case-by-case basis given space availability.**

Fees for the Summer Institute and Medical Academy

Total fee for a 2023 Boston Congress of Public Health Summer Institute session is as follows:

  • Public Health Summer Session – In-person: $375.00
  • Pre-Medical Academy -In-person: $250.00
 

In late May 2023, the Institute and Academy have been able to subsidize the programs and offer the new fees above, which is an 85% discount! 

The program fee includes tuition and activity costs for the institute. The fees do not change based on location.

Accommodations are not included and can be requested. First come, first-serve accommodations. 

There is also a non-refundable application fee depending on early, regular, and late registration: 

Application fees are as follows: 

  • Regular application (non-refundable $15) deadline: July 1, 2023
  • Late application (non-refundable $20) deadline: July 11, 2023
 

Enrollment: Sessions are subject to cancellation if low enrollment numbers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is included in the Application/Registration Process?

Students will need to complete an application/registration form that includes the following information:

(a) Basic demographic information

(b) Current official or unofficial transcript

(c) Letter of Intent from teacher or high school administrator for high schools students only

(d) Short essays on public health, social justice, and interest in institute/pre-medical academy for high school students only

Where are the Institute and Academy located?

The Public Health Leadership Summer Institute and Medical Academy are located at the following places:

What is the Selection Process for High School, Undergrad, and Post-Bacc Students?

BCPH Public Health Summer Institute  is designed for the following: passionate, academically motivated students who are interested in:

(a) Exploring the dynamic and tantalizing fields of public health and social justice,

(b) Attaining unparalleled exposure to leading public health and social justice scholars,

(c) Getting ahead of the competition with Certificates in Public Health and Academic Journalism, and

(d) Earning a BCPH Transcript

APPLICATIONS ARE ROLLING ADMISSIONS.

Our Pre-College Program (in-person) is open to rising sophomores,  juniors, and seniors.

The asynchronous/downloadable program is open to all high school students, including rising freshmen. It is also available for undergraduates and post-bacc students.

BCPH will evaluate all information submitted—including transcripts and short essays—when considering your application. Preference will be given to highly motivated and interested applicants, so showcase your passion!

Note: BCPH will be unable to provide visas or other support for international applicants. There are no fee waivers at this time for the Summer Institute. There is no GPA requirement for the Public Health Summer Institute or the Pre-Medical Academy.

How long is BCPH’s Public Health Summer Institute?

The Boston Congress of Public Health Summer Institute is a four-day program during which you will experience the Harvard Campus, UCLA, and a Washington D.C. college campus and learn about the myriad of sub-fields within public health, health equity, and social justice.

Sessions run from approximately 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Note: The Pre-Medical Academy, an optional add-on to the Summer Institute,  occurs at the beginning of each session. It lasts over the course of one day, from approximately 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

The Summer Institute session schedule is as follows

  • Session 1: July 12-16, 2023: Near Harvard University, Cambria Hotel Boston, Boston/Cambridge, MA
  • Session 2: July 19-23, 2023: Near Harvard University, Cambria Hotel Boston, Boston/Cambridge, MA
  • Session 3: August 2-6, 2023: Near George Washington University, Royal Sonesta, Washington, D.C. 
  • Session 4: August 9-13, 2023: Near UCLA, E-Central Los Angeles Hotel, Los Angeles, CA

 

*Note: Pre-Medical Academy is the first day of each session. All sessions will be located near or on the university campuses specified.

Can Applicants Apply to One or Both of the Pre-Medical Academy and Public Health Summer Institute?

Yes, applicants can apply to just the Pre-medical academy or Public Health Institute. Alternatively, they can apply to BOTH programs. If the applicant does the in-person session, they DO NOT need to purchase a downloadable session, as this will be available for them after the session for a limited period of time.

What Will You Get Out of the Public Health Leadership Summer Institute Program?

At BCPH’s Public Health Institute  for students allows you the following: 

● Matchless opportunity to learn about public health, health equity, and social justice for leading scholars educated at Harvard, Yale, Oxford University and more! 

● Opportunity for in-depth TOUR of Harvard, UCLA, and Washington D.C. college campuses 

● A FREE annual Boston Congress of Public Health Annual Membership. See membership benefits here: https://bcph.org/membership/

● A Certificate of Achievement in Public Health from the Boston Congress of Public Health 

● A Certificate of Achievement in Academic Journalism from the Boston Congress of Public Health 

● An Academic Transcript of Public Health Courses Completed (optional) from The Boston Congress of Public Health

● Training in writing exceptional resumes and learning top interviewing skills

How does the Pre-Medical Academy differ from the Public Health Summer Institute?

The Pre-medical Academy is offered over the course of one day, from 9 AM to 6 PM. It covers ALL of the pre-medical knowledge not typically covered in standard pre-medical courses. Thus, you will not receive instruction on general biology, general chemistry, physics, organic chemistry, or biochemistry. Instead, you will learn everything else that future physicians are expected to know, such as trends in healthcare technology, organ transplantation, procedures for brain death and cardiac death, telemedicine, personalized medicine, and more.

The Public Health Institute covers all sub-topics within public health, such as infectious disease and epidemiology; public health entrepreneurship and leadership; health policy and health management; maternal and child health; occupational health; LGBTQ+ health; immigrant and refugee health; disability rights; racial justice; and more.

The Pre-medical academy is separate from the Summer Institute in content. However, the Pre-Medical Academy is jointly offered by The Boston Congress of Public Health and Infinity Ivy Consulting. The Summer Institute is offered solely by The Boston Congress of Public Health. 

What is covered in the tuition fees?

The tuition of the Public Health Leadership Summer Institute is separate from the tuition of the Pre-Medical Academy tuition. This includes the cost of all of the courses, tours, as well as snacks and beverages. The tuition fees DO NOT include full meals, travel, or accommodations during the duration of the institute or academy. 

Where will students live during the Summer Institute and Pre-Medical Academy? Is there a curfew?

Accepted students will be able to obtain discounted accommodations on a first-come, first-serve basis at the select locations of the Cambria Boston Hotel (Boston, MA), E Central Los Angeles Hotel (Los Angeles, CA), or Royal Sonesta Hotel  (Washington, D.C.). Registration links will be sent to students upon full acceptance and completion of required documentation. Note that student do not have to stay at any of the specified accommodations, but may commute in or stay at another location. There will be a 10 PM curfew for students who are staying at the aforementioned accommodations.

How will high school students be supervised?

Students will be assigned to and accompanied by a Resident Advisor throughout the duration of the Pre-Medical Academy and Public Health Summer Institute. This will include during meals and activities before, during, and after the institute.

What are the qualifications of Resident Advisors?

Resident Advisors will be at least 18 years of age, have a background in premedicine, clinical medicine, and/or public health, have successfully completed a  background check, and have up-to-date CPR credentials.

What do I need to do to earn the Certificate of Achievement in Public Healt?

All participants who attend the summer institute – in person OR virtual/asynchronous – will receive a Certificate of Achievement in Public Health from The Boston Congress of Public Health.

What do I need to do to earn the Certificate of Achievement in Academic Journalism?

All participants who attend the summer institute – in person OR virtual/asynchronous – will receive a Certificate of Achievement in Academic Journalism from The Boston Congress of Public Health.

What do I need to do to earn the Academic Transcript in Public Health?

Participants who attend the summer institute in person can OPT-IN to receive an Academic Transcript of their courses in public health. These will be designated Honors/Pass/Fail. While these may not be used as college credit in the future, they will detail all of the courses you’ve taken and allow you to showcase your growing knowledge in these fields.

How do I get Honors on the Academic Transcript in Public Health?

There will be specialized and short multiple choice questions for each lecture presented during the summer institute. A percentage of 90% or greater on these tests will constitute honors for the lecture/course.

How Intensive is the Summer Institute?

The BCPH Public Health Leadership Summer Institute Program courses are introductory, but nonetheless rigorous. During the four-day sessions, participants will be in class from 9 AM to 6 PM, and take over 20 courses during the session. However, participants are given time for a 2 hour lunch break and multiple coffee breaks throughout the sessions.

Can the Summer Institute and Pre-Medical Academy Assist with College Admissions or Applications to Medical School, Nursing School, and other Health Schools?

Participation in the Public Health Leadership Summer Institute Program with The Boston Congress of Public Health can help with college admissions and other medical/health admissions in a few important ways:

  • Successfully completing this program demonstrates your motivation and passion to succeed in collegiate public health courses.

  • The Public Health Summer Institute Program can give you an edge on the competition and the entire college admissions process , if you are a high school student. It will also give you an incredible knowledge base to major or minor in public health,  equipping you with powerful tools to compose a great resume and perform exceptionally well in interviews, and come away with top-notch productivity and time management tools.

Why Choose BCPH’s Public Health Summer Institute Program and/or Pre-Medical Academy?

BCPH’s Public Health Leadership Summer Institute and Pre-Medical Academy will proffer an unparalleled experience. You will not find this unique and dynamic curriculum that is NOT offered anywhere else. We challenge you to look:  Where can you spend less than a week in intensive, immersive programming and receive a FREE annual membership to a professional public health society, a certificate of achievement in public health, a certificate of achievement in academic journalism, and an academic transcript?

Do I need to apply/register if I am just doing a downloadable version of the Public Health Summer Institute and/or Pre-Medical Academy?

Yes, just doing a downloadable version of the Public Health Summer Institute and Pre-Medical Academy will require that you complete an application/registration form. Early, regular, late, and extreme late registration fees will still be applicable.

What else is there to know about The Boston Congress of Public Health?

The Boston Congress of Public Health (BCPH) is a dynamic, international, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that seeks to democratize public health through the lens of social justice. BCPH realizes this mission through its BCPH Studio, BCPH Academy, and BCPH Policy and Advocacy arms, which transcend the traditional boundaries of academia and medicine, and support the next generation of public health thought leaders committed to social justice.

BCPH was officially established in August 2021 by Co-Chief Executive Officers Dr. Candice Carpenter and Dr. Circe Gray Le Compte, alumni of the Harvard Chan School of Public Health. In Fall 2021, BCPH’s mission, vision, and activities were crystalized by a cohort of public health advocates deeply passionate about public health, social justice, and health equity. These founders represent a diverse and elite swathe of individuals who are Harvard and Oxford alumni, physicians and nurses, scientists and researchers, consultants, and activists and practitioners of public health from around the world. It grew out of leadership and initiatives that started in 2014 as the student- and alumni-run Public Health Review at Harvard University.

The Boston Congress of Public Health is an independent and privately owned organization that is not directly affiliated with any of the universities mentioned in this programming.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION